Commentary: SC needs more sunshine before the deal is done

Economic development talks should stay private only during preliminary stages. Once a project nears a binding government commitment, the public deserves to know essential details like location and costs. This shift ensures transparency before officials make final decisions that impact the community. The proposed reform mandates public disclosure statements well in advance of approving major incentive agreements. By revealing fiscal impacts and infrastructure needs early, taxpayers can evaluate the true value of these deals. This prevents secretive negotiations that might hide significant public expenses or hidden drawbacks from scrutiny. This article is vital for open data advocates because it highlights the critical role of timing in government transparency. True openness requires releasing data before decisions are made, not just afterwards. It argues for proactive data publication that empowers citizens to hold governments accountable during the critical formation of economic policies.

Source: postandcourier.com
Published on 2026-09-25